Today we’d like to introduce you to Byron Jamal.
Byron, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born as an orphan that was adopted and raised into a loving home. Despite my parents’ affection, I felt unlovable, which led me to attempt suicide in high school. After surviving, my parents kept a closer watch on me, keeping me busy with activities at my Charlotte, NC-based church and school. Presented with an opportunity to develop and direct a church play, I found my passion for writing and the arts.
After the local success of the first play, I wrote another, which performed even better than my original work. My freshman year in college, my life changed. I was accepted on a full academic scholarship to Norfolk State University to earn a Biology Pre-Med degree. My grades were horrible. I was underperforming in almost every class but Honors English. The professor pulled me aside to celebrate my writing and question why I wasn’t an English major. With no credible answer, I declined the scholarship to pursue writing.
My college roommate worked out religiously and invited to join him in the gym. By the end of the first semester, I went from obese to “oh my!” My new body gained me more attention than I was accustomed to getting. Sexual advances ensued. Reveling in all the attention, I rarely said “no.” So, while gaining the title of Mr. NSU, SGA Vice President, Gospel Choir President, and English Club President, I was earning a different title: Hoe.
Years later, I hit another moment where I felt lost. I learned a life-changing lesson: You can be sexy, smart, and successful and still feel unlovable. After prayer and planning, I became the founder and CEO of The Call Path, empowering everyday people and clients alike, including major corporations, public institutions, government agencies, and philanthropic organizations. Simultaneously, I attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and became an ordained elder and pastor.
There was a theme of “not feeling worthy or valued” that many of my congregants and clients expressed, even the big corporations. My unique perspective as an adopted child, suicide survivor, and former pastor allowed me to showcase that love is the most brilliant power and gift we can possess. Authoring the novel, “Unlovable: Finding Love in the Midst of the Unlovable,” I tell the story of a pastor, stripper, and athlete who all face challenges that cause them to feel unlovable and how they journey to find love in themselves and with each other. The book is available for pre-sale and is available this November at my release event.
I earned my Master of Business Administration degree from the Queens University of Charlotte and concluded my tenure as National Communications Chair for the National Urban League Young Professionals, supporting advocacy and aid efforts throughout the country. Now I am focused on empowering everyday leaders–Pathfinders, as I call them–to transform the world while living fulfilled lives. I use my wit and storytelling in keynote speaking and writing to help others achieve in every area of life and love — better relationships, positive habits, successful career goals, and healing from past challenges.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have discovered that it is not the smoothness of the road but the cushions you have in place that determine how comfortable you find life’s journey.
Before I learned this, I faced abandonment issues from being adopted and trust issues from being molested. That filtered into depression and a false need to be perfect at everything and accepted by everyone. I wrestled with understanding how my spirituality could coexist with my bisexuality, knowing from childhood, I had an affinity to men and women. I’ve been homeless, abused, falsely convicted, and rejected based on my race and sexuality.
Yet, despite these external challenges, the greatest obstacles I had to overcome were inside me. That’s why I believe it is not the smoothness of the road but the cushions you have in place. I pad my life with positivity to ward off depression. I stay in prayer and meditation to have support when unexpected trouble arises. By surrounding myself with motivated, driven, optimistic people, rejection doesn’t phase me, because I know what real love looks like.
Short answer: Yes. I face struggles and the road is not always smooth, but I have systems in place to counteract the terrain no matter what it presents.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Call Path story. Tell us more about the business.
The Call Path is the parent company to my writing, speaking, and coaching. I believe everyone has a calling and that calling is lived on a path. Learning how to join your calling with the intended path in life yields a Call Path. On that path, we become PathFinders, Discovering, Navigating and Achieving–our PathFinder DNA.
My personal mission statement is: I exist to guide PathFinders to DISCOVER their purpose, NAVIGATE their perfect path and ACHIEVE the power of their potential. I create personal moguls who live fulfilled lives.
I use my background in finance, artist management, pastoring, leadership, writing, directing, teaching and more to help people fall in love with their business, job, and everyday lives. Whether through my motivational speaking, books, coaching, or consulting, I have one goal: connect people to purpose and purpose to a path. I am most proud to see people start businesses, find lasting relationships, and end destructive habits when working with me.
I believe we all possess unique PathFinder DNA. I shine because I embrace my truth, accept my calling, and walk my path. My path may be different, we all can share that same testimony.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck. I believe in laws. For instance, gravity is a law. Gravity doesn’t consider your race, religion, sexual orientation or economic status. If you jump up in the air, you are going to come back to the ground. That’s a law.
Success is not luck. It operates on laws. In business, if you work hard, get amazing analytics, research, and refuse to quit, success is inevitable. A healthy body is dependent on a healthier lifestyle. That’s a law. The same is true with relationships, finances, and mental health. There are laws in place that help you get the result you desire.
Our decisions empower a particular path. We live by our choices. We live better by making good choices. We live our best lives by making the right choices first.
Pricing:
- Initial 15-MinPathFinder Discovery Session – Free
- Unlovable: Finding Love in the Midst of the Unlovable – $14.99
Contact Info:
- Website: byronjamal.com
- Phone: 704.451.6665
- Email: info@byronjamal.com
- Instagram: @byronjamal
- Facebook: /byronjamal
- Twitter: @byronjamal
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byronjamal/
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